How to Use Readwise

Getting started with Readwise

In this guide, you'll learn how to set up Readwise as your central hub for reading highlights and how to use its spaced repetition feature to improve retention of what you've read.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to readwise.io.
2. Click on the "Get Started" button on the homepage.
3. You can sign up using your email address or by connecting a Google account. Follow the prompts to create your account.
4. Once logged in, you’ll be taken to your dashboard. Click on "Settings" in the sidebar to configure your preferences, such as daily email reminders for reviews.

Step 2: Your first import

1. From your dashboard, click on "Import" in the top menu.
2. Choose your source: Kindle, Instapaper, or another option. For Kindle, select "Connect Kindle" and follow the instructions to link your account.
3. After linking, Readwise will automatically pull in your highlights. You can also manually add highlights by selecting "Add Highlight" and entering your text.
4. Once your highlights are imported, you can view them in the "Highlights" section.

Step 3: Get better results

1. To start reviewing your highlights, go to the "Review" tab in the sidebar.
2. Set your review frequency in "Settings" under the "Review" section to optimise spaced repetition.
3. Use tags to organise your highlights better. Click on a highlight, and you can add tags to categorise your notes.
4. Consider using the "Export" feature to send highlights to other apps or formats for further use, such as Notion or Obsidian.

Pro tip

Take advantage of the "Daily Review" feature. Set it to send you an email with a selection of highlights to review each day. This helps reinforce your memory without needing to log into the platform.

Common mistake to avoid

Many users forget to link their Kindle account properly or overlook the importance of setting review frequencies. Ensure your sources are connected correctly and adjust your review settings to get the most out of Readwise.